YORKTOWN — Members of the New York State Police Troop K Community Stabilization Unit conducted a traffic stop on a 2014 Mercedes-Benz sedan traveling northbound on the Taconic State Parkway in the Town of Yorktown on June 25 for violations of the Vehicle and Traffic Law.
The driver was identified as Jack L. Thomas, 38, of Poughkeepsie, and the front-seat passenger as Jiovanni D. Atherton, 24, of Bronx.
With the assistance of New York State Police K9 Jett, an exterior sniff of the vehicle was conducted, resulting in a positive alert for the presence of illegal narcotics.
Based on this alert, a probable cause search was initiated by CSU members.
During the search, troopers recovered a loaded Colt MK IV Series 70 semi-automatic handgun.
Further investigation revealed the firearm had been reported stolen out of Vermont.
Both Thomas and Atherton were arrested and charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the 2nd degree (loaded firearm), a Class C felony; criminal possession of a firearm, a Class E felony; and criminal possession of stolen property in the 4th degree, a Class E felony.
Thomas and Atherton remain in custody awaiting arraignment.
